Jumping To Conclusions by Sarah Challis

Paperback: 439 pages
Genre: Humorous Romantic Fiction
Publisher:  Headline 2006
Source: Charity Bookshop in UK in 2010.
First Sentences: Tom knew there was something wrong as soon as he saw the mare in the paddock. It took two men to lead her up and even then she swung her quarters about, her back arched like a cat, her neck dark and steaming with sweat.
Review Quote:  ' Brilliant' Rosamunde Pilcher
My Opinion: An evocative read that transported me to the English countryside.




An author whose work I have liked the sound of for a long while, but for some reason have not got around to reading any of her novels before now. With choosing 'Jumping to Conclusions' from our bookshelves for my letter 'J' in the title reading challenge I am taking part in this year, that has at last been rectified. With one more on our shelves already, I have added the rest of her back catalogue and the new one 'The Lonely Desert ' due out in Jan 2013 to my Amazon Wishlist. You never know I may just get the opportunity to read some of the tempting books on this one day.


A heart warming and romantic story set in a rural setting with realistic and strong characters, immerse yourself in village life, horses and rumours. An evocative read that transported me to the English countryside where we spent many happy years before moving to Italy.


Jess Haddon is a point to point jockey and she lives with her mother Belinda and daughter Izzy in the Dorset village where she grew up and developed her passion for horses.  Jess has always kept the identity of her daughter's father strictly to herself but of course this did not stop the rumours when she was born, when locals suspected that she had been having an affair with a local married man.  Seven years later those old wounds are reopened when the name 'Johnnie Bearsden' appears in some books purchased at a local village jumble sale, it seems he and his family are back. On seeing his name again Jess is unsettled but will neither confirm or deny that he is Izzy's father not even to her Mother. Belinda feels that the secret cannot be kept for ever and that when it  does come out everything will change, especially for her granddaughter.
Will Jess manage to keep her secret or will all be revealed?


Author Profile

Sarah Challis, whose father is the distinguished cinematographer, Christopher Challis, travelled widely with film units as a child. She has since lived in Scotland and California but is now happily settled in a Dorset village with her husband, four sons, three dogs and chickens. 

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites.
Fantastic Fiction Profile  Headline Author Profile  Lovereading - Sarah Challis


I have chosen to read this title as the letter J for The A - Z Book Challenge which I have decided to attempt to achieve in alphabetical order. I have a good selection of titles to choose from our bookshelves, it will be interesting to see how far I can get before I get stuck. You can follow my progress here.